Hadith 10956

حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرٌ , حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرٌ , حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ الْأَصَمِّ , عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ , عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , وَقَالَ كَثِيرٌ مَرَّةً حَدِيثٌ رَفَعَهُ , قَالَ : " النَّاسُ مَعَادِنُ كَمَعَادِنِ الْفِضَّةِ وَالذَّهَبِ , خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا فَقِهُوا . " وَالْأَرْوَاحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدَةٌ مَا تَعَارَفَ مِنْهَا ائْتَلَفَ , وَمَا تَنَاكَرَ مِنْهَا اخْتَلَفَ " .
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: People are like hidden treasures of gold and silver (mines). You will find that those among them who were the best in the time of ignorance are also the best in the time of Islam, provided they gain understanding of the religion. And the souls of people are like assembled troops; so those souls that become acquainted with one another develop affection, and those that do not become acquainted develop differences.
Hadith Reference مسند احمد / مسند المكثرين من الصحابة / 10956
Hadith Grading حکم دارالسلام: إسناده صحيح، خ:3496،م:2526،2638